- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
PARIS – It was on Thursday that Ian Foster spoke about Ireland carrying a World Cup burden. That burden will be all that much heavier for Ireland now after failing to progress past the quarter-finals yet again after falling agonisingly close in the game of the tournament.
Indeed, the world No.1 side is out after Ian Foster’s All Blacks snapped Ireland’s 17-match unbeaten streak and exacted revenge following last year’s home series defeat. By doing so, the All Blacks ensured their own record of 18, which they share with England, remained in tact.
Despite twice only holding a one-point lead, including at 25-24 when hooker Codie Taylor was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul as Ireland received a penalty try, the All Blacks led from start to finish and ultimately prevailed 28-24.
They will now play Michael Cheika’s Argentinians next weekend in Paris after upsetting Wales 29-17 in Marseille.
So much for a northern hemisphere semi-final shut out.
Will Jordan and Aaron Smith celebrate following the All Blacks’ epic quarter-final win over Ireland at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Jordie Barrett’s ability to get under Irish replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher in the 72nd minute and deny Ireland from scoring a try proved telling.
Then, New Zealand was forced to defend 37 phases to win the Test to ensure it was a Zombie-less evening for Ireland’s faithful who had come early from the Montmartre streets in front of the Moulin Rouge to soak it all in but only left with heavy hearts and teary faces.
Inspirational second-rower Sam Whitelock, who is bidding to become the first player to win three World Cups, got on the ball to win his side a penalty in the 83rd minute to send them into a fourth straight semi-final.
Whitelock, 35, celebrated at once from the floor after Wayne Barnes awarded the lock the penalty for showing the strength to withstand Ireland’s clearance. His roars echoed throughout the stadium.
Rieko Ioane and Aaron Smith celebrate as Garry Ringrose looks dejected following the epic World Cup quarter-final at the Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
It continued a month of celebrations for the veteran lock, who overtook Richie McCaw to become the All Blacks’ most capped player against Italy and then ran out for his 150th Test against Uruguay in Lyon last week.
His 151st match against Ireland, played in front of 78,845 fans at the Stade de France in a nation known for its fine grapes, showed he continues to age like a fine wine. The player beside him as he made the crucial breakdown penalty was his long-time second row partner Brodie Retallick.
“Fantastic. We all knew it was going to be a monster game. We had been talking about it all week – and it was. It was a real arm wrestle,” Foster said.
“They’re a proud team, Ireland, they really hung in there. I thought we had them a couple of times but they kept making the game really tight.
“I am so proud of the way we played. Our defence, particularly in that last part, was brilliant.”
Foster credited the All Blacks’ cool heads for prevailing at the death, with Ardie Savea and captain Sam Cane dominating their backrow rivals Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony. So much for Cane being a “s**t Richie McCaw”, as O’Mahony said to the All Blacks skipper last year in the heat of the battle.
“I thought we were really good. We were disciplined, we held our cool,” he said.
“I thought defensively we made some shifts and found a way of stopping their line breaks coming to us. It just became a game of patience in the end and we did it well.”
Sam Whitelock reacts following the All Blacks’ quarter-final win over Ireland at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
As the All Blacks celebrated their best performance under Foster and their greatest performance since the 2015 World Cup, Ireland’s hearts sunk as once.
This result will take years to get over. Will they ever get past it?
Ireland could not have been better prepared and were superb against the All Blacks. They played their part in a remarkable knockout match.
“I’m very proud of the boys, the nation, we couldn’t have done any more, it’s just fine margins,” said Ireland’s 38-year-old captain Johnny Sexton following his final rugby match.
“They sucker-punched us on a few tries and that’s what champion teams do. We knew they were a great side and we fell just short unfortunately.
“It’s been amazing. This six weeks has been a dream – this group, these fans and I’m just gutted we couldn’t do it for them.”
His coach Andy Farrell added: “I’m unbelievably proud of the group, everyone that’s been involved over the last couple of years. That was one hell of a game and somebody had to lose – unfortunately it was us tonight.”
Bundee Aki looks dejected at full-time following Ireland’s loss at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Many will point to the lobsided nature of the draw, with the top four nations meeting each other in the quarter-finals.
Had they come up against any one of Argentina, Wales, England or Fiji and it seems impossible to imagine Ireland not progressing through to the final four.
But no amount of tears and finger pointing at World Rugby for doing the draw three years ago will do anything.
Ireland, too, were left frustrated by being beaten at the scrum, with loose-head prop Andrew Porter penalised on a number of occasions for not scrummaging straight.
While Farrell said they would ask World Rugby questions over the officiating, they didn’t want to take anything away from the All Blacks’ superb win nor be considered sore losers.
Sexton said “moments of brilliance” from the All Blacks was the difference between the two sides, with Richie Mo’unga’s linebreak first-phase from a lineout and pinpoint pass to Will Jordan one such moment.
After jumping out to a 13-0 lead following two early penalties and a try to Leicester Fainga’anuku after a Beauden Barrett chip and chase, Ireland clawed their way.
A Sexton penalty was quickly followed by a Bundee Aki try, as the former Chiefs midfielder stepped off his right foot to beat Rieko Ioane and Shannon Frizell before carrying two defenders over to score and cut the margin to 13-10.
A 50-22 from Jordan and try to Savea then helped the All Blacks skip further ahead.
But a deliberate knockdown from Aaron Smith after some Mack Hansen magic saw the game take another twist in the 37th minute. Moments later another former New Zealand player scored, as Jamison Gibson-Park darted off from the back of a rolling maul to score and help Ireland go into the sheds only trailing 18-17.
Ardie Savea celebrates scoring his team’s second try at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Mo’unga’s stunning break centre field first-phase from a lineout and his ball to Jordan helped the All Blacks extend the margin.
Ireland finally got their rolling maul working to get themselves firmly back into the match, as they cut the margin to 25-24.
While Sexton and Jordie Barrett both missed penalties they usually would knock over, the centre’s second strike ensured the All Blacks extended the margin beyond a penalty.
Those three points proved critical, especially as Ireland attempted to bang the door down at the end without the luxury of being able to knock over a goal, as the All Blacks “held tough” and sealed a win for the ages.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.